Concrete doesn't have to look dour anymore

April 11, 2003|By Frances Ingraham Heins, New York Times News Service.

In the words of the writer William Hamilton, "Concrete is, essentially, the color of bad weather."

But it doesn't have to be.

Treat gray or soiled concrete floors to a face lift. When concrete is stained and scored (to look like marble or stone tile), it can mimic expensive flooring at a fraction of the cost.

Concrete stains originated 30 years ago, primarily in commercial settings. But they have since migrated to the do-it-yourself department at the home improvement store.

"[Stained concrete] became very popular about 15 years ago as a floor solution for allergy sufferers, especially children," says Barbara Sargent of Kemiko, a stain company in Leonard, Texas. "Now the new chic in residential interiors is colored [stained] concrete flooring, and it's not just for warm climates. You see stunning upscale homes with color-stain slab concrete flooring in Vail, Aspen and Montana. It's just starting to catch on in New England states."

Sargent says concrete-slab flooring is also the perfect solution for tracked-in mud, snow and sand, and for high-traffic areas like walkways, driveways, patios and entrances.

The new concrete stains react with minerals in the concrete to produce uneven, mottled and variegated effects. The stains can be finished with a wax- or water-based sealer to create custom surfaces.

"Use a matte finish if you want it to look like stone," Sargent says. "If you desire a soft satin sheen that shows more marbling, use a wax sealer."

If it's a heavy-traffic area, you have to restain the floor every two to three years, but the stains aren't expensive.

For instance, SkimStone Hybridized Portland Cement can cost as little as 65 cents per square foot. And a gallon of Kemiko, which covers 400 square feet, costs about $55.

Cleaning stained concrete is easy, simply use a damp mop. And you can reapply the wax sealer as needed without stripping off the old wax.